In early summer this year whilst the shop was in full swing, in between a couple of race meetings, a rather tall and very keen chap called Mike walked in and asked us if we could service his Austin Healey 3000. We were absolutely flat out and after telling him that we were too busy to consider any more work he casually mentioned another company, set up by a couple of ex-employees of mine who were happy to do the work. Bullseye. The car duly came in to the shop a few days later and was sorted. After popping in a few times, usually at highly stressed and inconvenient moments he told me that since being a young lad, he’d always wanted a chain drive Nash and were there any good cars for sale. Having concluded that this was clearly going to be another wistfully hopeful tyre kicking exercise, I suggested we test drove Roger Newtons ex Ivo Peters short chassis TT Rep MV3357 to which we had done some work recently. Having done the obligatory demonstration, Mike then drove the car like he had owned it for years and further impressed me by insisting we stop at my favourite pub for couple of pints on this perfect balmy summers evening.
The 2011 Lakeland Trail saw Patrick Blakeney Edwards back at the wheel of his 30/98 after a few years trialling absence. The engine has been rebuilt with a new head, new block, cam and high compression pistons. It's performance is now staggering and 100 mph easily achievable in full road trim. Even with the front seat occupied by local Frazer Nash hero, Dick Smith, the slightly hungover crew failed to win and just claimed a 3rd class award after failing the restart at buttermere Old road. In contrast Blakeney Motorsport's newest recruit Eddie Williams went to bed early on Friday and drove a fantastic trial in his Austin 7 coming 2nd overall and only 4 points behind Richard Parsons in the GN. Blakeney Motorsport will now build a supercharged engine for Eddie's Austin so he can use 19" wheels and a higher ratio 1st gear, which will make it a much more competitive car for next year's event.
The end of season Algarve meeting at Portimao produced 2 Overalls in the Pre-war race for Charles Gillett and Patrick Blakeney Edwards. The race was hard fought and close with the Ames supercharged Alta just pipping the Nash to victory on the penultimate lap. Paul Baker continued to woo the crowds with his ever sideways motoring in his rapid AC engine car. Richard Parsons and PBE drove Richards 1965 Mini Cooper S to 3rd in class in the U2TC race. This was Richards first race in the car and he loved the transition to more ‘modern’ motorsport. Blakeney Motorsport will field at least 4 Minis for next year’s race season.
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Spa 6 hrs meeting September 2011
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The Spa 6 hrs meeting was a huge success with Martin Hunt and Patrick Blakeney Edwards scoring a 2nd in class in the black Mini in the U2TC race and a second overall in the 260 Cobra in the Pre63GT race. This was Martin first race with the car and he is showing great promise for the series next year. Fred Wakemans Jaguar unfortunately succumbed to some idiot pace car actions during the 6 hr race which caused a 6 car accident at the top of Eau Rouge. The pace car slowed down to a point where the unsighted top of the corner became a car park and was an accident waiting to happen. Damage was not too bad and the car will be ready for testing shortly. Peter Bradfield, Martin Hunt and Charlie Knill Jones finished a fantastic 23rd OA in the Mustang and 4th in class.
Bolster Special 15.11.11
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One of the great things about my job is the sheer number of fabulous cars one gets to test drive. This morning’s lark was the awesome 1924 Delage Land Speed record car, followed by a staggeringly beautiful Ferrari 410 (5.3 litres), a supercharged 4 ½ Litre Bentley, then finally the Richard Bolster Special. This car, owned by Paul Smeeth, was built and raced successfully in the 30’s by John Bolsters brother. It has a Frazer Nash chassis and running gear, a fabricated front axle with Lea Francis brakes and is powered by a 1200cc 6 Cylinder MG engine which is fed by two superchargers and running on methanol. The whole deal is set off perfectly by a Darracq radiator which sits well behind the front axle.
The 2011 Lakeland Trail saw Patrick Blakeney Edwards back at the wheel of his 30/98 after a few years trialling absence. The engine has been rebuilt with a new head, new block, cam and high compression pistons. It's performance is now staggering and 100 mph easily achievable in full road trim. Even with the front seat occupied by local Frazer Nash hero, Dick Smith, the slightly hungover crew failed to win and just claimed a 3rd class award after failing the restart at buttermere Old road. In contrast Blakeney Motorsport's newest recruit Eddie Williams went to bed early on Friday and drove a fantastic trial in his Austin 7 coming 2nd overall and only 4 points behind Richard Parsons in the GN. Blakeney Motorsport will now build a supercharged engine for Eddie's Austin so he can use 19" wheels and a higher ratio 1st gear, which will make it a much more competitive car for next year's event. 
